Craving an easy weeknight pasta dish that the whole family will love? Look no further! With a few common pantry items you can build a satisfying and healthy Italian-style dinner — no grocery trips or takeout required. Packed with cheesy goodness and nutrient-rich veggies, Homemade Pantry Pasta is a delicious meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes!

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Easy Pantry Ingredients

This simple recipe is made with ingredients you may already have on-hand. The base of this dish is whole wheat penne pasta, which provides a great source of fiber. However, you can also substitute one pound of another short pasta shape (shells, bowtie, or spirals). 

Lean ground beef offers plenty of protein and iron for building strong muscles. You can even try lean ground turkey or chicken for a different flavor twist. And unsalted beef broth provides savory flavor without added salt. Feel free to swap out beef broth for unsalted chicken broth if that’s in your cabinet instead.

Adding a dark, leafy green like spinach, kale, or broccoli is an easy way to pack your pasta with extra nutrients, while also adding a pop of color. And did you know that plain tomato sauce even provides an extra serving of vegetables? Lastly, finish off the dish with cheesy parmesan to bring all the flavors together.

Servings that Go Further

Homemade Pantry Pasta offers great taste while making the most out of your groceries. Compared to a traditional box pasta mix, this DIY recipe makes more food at a lower cost per serving. Which means extra yummy leftovers or the freedom to reach for a second helping. While both options provide a flavorful dinner, with the homemade version you can make your family’s favorite pasta even more filling and nutritious. Best of all, this recipe helps you get dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less while only using one pot for easy cleanup!

Homemade Pantry Pasta Recipe

Ingredients:

1 lb 90/10 ground beef

2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

1 (32 oz) carton unsalted beef broth

1 (16 oz) box whole wheat penne pasta

1/2 (10 oz) bag baby spinach

3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. In a large stockpot over medium heat, add ground beef. Cook 4-5 min until browned, crumbling throughout. 
2. Add Italian seasoning & tomato sauce. Cook 1-2 min until sauce is warm.
3. Add broth & increase heat to high. When broth is boiling, add pasta. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 15 min or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. 
4. Remove stockpot from heat & stir in spinach & parmesan. Mix well. Serve topped with additional parmesan if desired!

Cost Comparison 

Boxed Pasta Mix	Homemade Pantry Pasta
Ingredient	Cost	Ingredient	Cost
Box Pasta Mix	$1.24	1 lb whole wheat pasta	$1.00
1 lb ground beef	$4.94	1lb ground beef	$4.94
2 cups milk	$0.36	1 carton unsalted beef broth	$1.68
½ bag baby spinach	$1.50	½ bag baby spinach	$1.50
water	n/a	¾ cup grated parmesan	$1.07
		1 can tomato sauce	$0.64
		2 TB Italian Seasoning	$0.27
Total Cost	$8.04		$11.10
Number of Servings	4-5		8
Cost per serving	$1.81		$1.38